The housing market collapse last spring, the subsequent credit market collapse last month and the impending deep recession are already having widespread impact, hitting college students hard on multiple fronts.

The Job Market
The primary challenge facing today’s college students is getting a job. Many economists predict that as we slide into a recession, the current national unemployment rate of 6.1 percent will rise to somewhere around eight to 8.5 percent and continue to rise by year’s end.

Ohio has been hit particularily hard by job loss. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Cincinnati area has seen unemployment increase from 5 to 6.3 percent in one year: an increase that is in-step with the national economy.

The impact of the shrinking job market has been felt at Xavier as well, where the university has temporarily issued an indefinite hiring suspension.
Obviously, this information does not bode well for new entrants into the labor market.

According to the 2009 Job Outlook Report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, employers plan on hiring 1.3 percent more college graduates in 2009 than they hired in this year, their lowest estimate in six years. For the class of 2008, the increase in expected hiring was 16 percent.

Graduates who do find work might have to settle for lower salaries, as the report estimates that average starting salaries will be level or decline, compared to last year’s 7.6 percent increase.

It should be noted that certain sectors of the economy are expected to hire significantly more graduates than years past. According to the report, these fields include accounting, health care, education and government hires (which are expected to increase by 19.8 percent from last year).

Sectors of the economy taking the largest hits include agriculture, construction, energy and financial services/insurance.

The lack of available jobs is giving graduates more incentive to pursue alternatives to employment. For many, this means graduate school is a more attractive—and more competitive—option.

“From an economic standpoint, a major component of the cost of pursuing a graduate degree is foregone earnings,” said Dr. Carol Rankin, professor of economics, “As the economy slows, some students perceive that these costs are lower than expected in the near term due to the reduced probability of finding desirable jobs and lower than anticipated salary offers.”

For instance, there has already been a 15.3 percent increase in the number of LSAT examinations given since last year, according to the Law School Admissions Council.

The Graduate Management Admission Council also reports that registration for its GMAT examination has increased 5.1 percent since last year.

Another popular alternative to the job market is volunteering and service. For example, Teach for America is a program which places recent graduates into two-year teaching positions in inner-city schools. The number of applications to TFA jumped over 38 percent this year, and the program says it will accept 25 percent more applicants than last year.

Financial Aid
Given the souring economic conditions and sudden desertion of educational lenders, it is not surprising that requests for financial aid are up 16 percent this school year alone.

Inside Higher Ed reported that “A staggering 45.8 percent of private colleges said that at least some of their students were ‘stopping out of school or switching to part-time status,’ a finding that conflicts with the widely held notion that students had not, by and large, been seriously deterred from pursuing their studies.”

Paul Calme, Director of Xavier’s Financial Aid Office, said that so far, “Xavier has not been hit hard by the economic situation. There has been a slight increase in financial aid requests, but no significant change.”

He noted that although some students have to take out alternative loans to afford tuition, as they do every year, no students have said they would be unable to attend Xavier because of the present circumstances or inability to find a loan.

“We don’t want to downplay the situation or say that it isn’t a problem. We are keeping our eyes open and maintaining contact with lenders to make sure nothing changes,” Calme said.

Student Loans
Because of the recent stalling of the credit market, students are finding it increasingly difficult to take out student loans. Although the government has already said it would guarantee federally-backed loans (such as the Stafford and Perkins loan programs), private loans used by many students to cover the remaining costs of attendance are proving problematic.

Sallie Mae, the nation’s largest supplier of private student loans, recently announced it was raising its credit requirements and interest rates across the board, with other lenders following suit. Eleven large banks—including CitiBank and most recently Key Bank—have cancelled most of or all education lending programs, according to FinAid.org.

According to Laura Stith, Assistant Director of Xavier’s Financial Aid Office, this means that sometimes students will have to take out loans from multiple banks.

Fewer lenders and heightened credit requirements are making it harder for students to get accepted for private loans, leading an increasing number of applicants to require co-signers. However, credit-worthy cosigners are not always available to students, and a growing number are finding it impossible to pay for school.

“No [private] lenders have pulled away from Xavier yet. Xavier students are historically credible for paying back loans, which means several banks are actually in line to be preferred lenders for Xavier students,” Stith said.

For instance, although CitiBank has severed many of its educational lending programs across the country, it is still a preferred lender for Xavier students.

Loan consolidation programs have also inched toward extinction. “Borrowers cannot consolidate private loans, and consolidation is not offered for most federally-backed loans, including Great Lakes,” Stith said. Great Lakes provides federally-backed Stafford loans to Xavier students.

Interestingly, these dire circumstances are giving rise to a new student loan industry that specializes in “peer-to-peer” lending, in which prospective borrowers are connected with willing co-signers—sometimes complete strangers—at lower interest rates offered by banks.

Educational lending experts agree that private loans should be a last resort for students, to be used only when the maximum amount of available federal loans has been exhausted. Students should also use a credit-worthy co-signer, if available, in order to obtain the lowest interest rate possible.

Experts also warn students not to take out several loans in a short time period, as doing so damages one’s credit rating by five points per loan.

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Clear contrast among Attorney General candidates

John LaFollette
Editor-in-Chief

On Election Day voters in Ohio will decide who will be the next Attorney General for the state, but this vote comes two years ahead of schedule.

A special election has been called to permanently fill the office vacated by Marc Dann when he resigned in May amid a sex scandal.

The three candidates on the special ballot bring with them high political ambition, deep legal experience, and an outsiders’ perspective, respectively.

Democrat Richard Cordray, of Grove City, is the 49-year old State Treasurer who has run for local, state or federal office eight times.

Cordray boasts both strong name recognition among voters and a hefty campaign fund- he has reportedly raised over $1.9 million for this election.

His résumé is also impressive. A former professor in the Ohio State University law school, Cordray worked in the Attorney General’s office as State Solicitor. Cordray has also argued several times before the U.S. Supreme Court as a lawyer for the Justice Department, and was a five-time champion quiz champion on Jeopardy!

Cordray has said that, if elected, he would use his authority to protect consumers from predatory credit practices.

His chief opponent, Republican Mike Crites, has a long background in law that makes him the more legally experienced candidate, though the only elected office he has held was on the Olentangy School Board.

Crites was the U.S. Attorney for Southern Ohio from 1986 to 1993, and has held various law-enforcement posts since then.

In 1992, he headed the U.S. delegation to an international conference on money laundering and fraud.

Like Cordray, Crites also taught at Ohio State Law. He is now in private practice in a Columbus law firm.

Crites’ platform was born out of Dann’s scandal; he has said that he would bring reform to the Attorney General’s office.

Robert Owens is an independent political newcomer with a scant public record. Owens worked in private practice at a large firm in Columbus before becoming a prosecutor in Sunbury, Ohio in 2003.

This year he served on the City of Delaware’s Charter Review Commission, and his website says he is an active leader in Kiwanis.

If elected, Owens has promised to “restore integrity to the capital” by distancing himself from special interest groups.

The message of reform voiced by two of the candidates has not done significant political damage to the Cordray, the democratic frontrunner.

Still, it is a poignant one that recalls the need for this special election in the first place: impropriety by Dann, the former Attorney General.

Dann, a Democrat who was elected in 2006, admitted to having an extra-marital affair with a subordinate after a state investigation indicated that the Attorney General’s office had tolerated inappropriate sexual relationships among its staff, heavy drinking and sexual harassment.

After Democrats in Ohio’s House of Representatives voted 42-3 to file articles of impeachment against him, Dann finally resigned.

He had initially resisted calls for his resignation by Governor Ted Strickland and by the editorial boards of Ohio’s major daily newspapers.

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Congressional Platforms for candidates in Ohio’s 1st district

Steve Chabot (R)

Xavier Newswire: What do you believe are the most important issues to Cincinnati voters in this election?
Chabot: The economy is the most important issue. We are clearly facing— if not already in a recession. We need someone with experience, background and a record when facing tough times. We need to make sure the people have more money by reducing the tax burden. I’ve been called the “anti-tax crusader.”

XN: What are some specific changes you would hope to make if elected?
C: If you’re going to decrease taxes, you need to make sure people have jobs. Seventy percent of jobs are created by small businesses, and I will work to make sure we have a strong small business sector. I will make sure they have capital, access to affordable healthcare, and make sure they are not over-taxed.

XN: What qualities make you stand out from the other candidates running?
C: I don’t want to bash the other candidates. People know me—I have much more experience than anyone else. I’ve been in Congress for 14 years.

XN: What is your stance on life issues, specifically abortion and the death penalty?
C: I am pro-life. I was a principal sponsor on a bill to ban partial birth abortions. I was a principal sponsor on the Born Alive Infant Protection Act, and both of those bills became laws. I am a death penalty supporter, not in all circumstances, but if it is warranted for particularly heinous crime. I support a constitutional amendment that reverses the Supreme Court’s ruling that outlaws the death penalty for the rape of a child.

XN: How do you plan to help the poorer neighborhoods in Cincinnati?
C: I have consistently voted for funding for health clinics. I have supported a whole range of programs to make sure there is access to equal housing. I support job training-type programs to encourage those on welfare to work their way off welfare, and become self-sufficient.

XN: Who do you support for President and why?
C: I support McCain. Experience is very important when we have a dangerous world, as we do. McCain has experience. Biden guarantees we’ll be tested internationally if Obama is elected, and that’s pretty scary to me. With McCain, we would be in safer hands. The American people usually elect the right person, though, and I think they will be right this time, no matter who it is.

XN: What is your favorite book?
C: What it Takes, by Richard Ben Cramer.

XN: What is your favorite Cincinnati food?
C: Larosa’s Pizza.

Go to http://www.stevechabot.com for more information on this candidate.

Steve Driehaus (D)

Xavier Newswire: What do you believe are the most important issues to Cincinnati voters in this election?
Driehaus: Definitely the economy, and how we got into the situation we’re in. There’s a clear difference in Congressman Chabot’s plan and my plan. I’ve been working for six years on predatory lending and mortgage financing. Jobs and the fiscal crisis are also clearly at the top.

XN: What are some specific changes you would hope to make if elected?
D: I would change the use of mortgage-backed securities. There are a bunch of questionable practices that need to be stopped. The policies under Bush have not worked and the Republicans have run as an anti-government party for too long.

XN: What qualities make you stand out from the other candidates running?
D: I have a graduate degree in public affairs and I am the only locally elected official. I pushed the governor to create a foreclosure task force. Chabot has been absolutely silent on the economy until recently. In 2002, I pushed for creditory lending, but in Washington they didn’t want to pay attention.

XN: What is your stance on life issues, specifically abortion and the death penalty?
D: I am a pro-life Democrat, so I oppose abortion and I oppose the death penalty. I understand the sanctity of life and the Church’s teachings, so I stand against abortion, unjust wars and the death penalty. I believe that socially just teachings have to be embraced.

XN: How do you plan to help the poorer neighborhoods in Cincinnati?
D: I’ve demonstrated that I understand these issues. I went into the Peace Corps right after college. I’ve worked at the Community Building Institute at Xavier, which is all about working in low income neighborhoods to mobilize their strengths. That is actually what got me interested in housing. We need a congressman who understands these issues. I understand. I’ve lived it.

XN: Who do you support for President and why?
D: I’m supporting Obama. I do not agree with every issue, but I think if you look at the challenges of the country, we need to take the country in a different direction. Obama has a steady hand with solid judgment. There is little doubt which candidate will move us in a new direction.

XN: What is your favorite book?
D: Crime and Punishment, by Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky.

XN: What is your favorite Cincinnati food?
D: Gyros from Sebastian’s in Price Hill.

Go to http://www.driehaus2008.com for more information on this candidate.

Rich Stevenson (I)

Xavier Newswire: What do you believe are the most important issues to Cincinnati voters in this election?
Stevenson: I think in any election, the most important issue is to take the majority away from the Democrats and Republicans in Congress. They’ve allowed financial meltdowns and declared wars that are internationally illegal. The best place to start change is locally. We need to vote the political incumbents out of office.

XN: What are some specific changes you would hope to make if elected?
S: Responsible regulations of the financial industry, so that people who wrote contracts would inherit the wind of their contracts. We need responsible regulations, which pretty much ended with Ronald Regan in 1980. Everything is interconnected; there are no isolated factors. We need to do away with the War Powers Act, because Congress has the sole responsibility to declare war. Congress has abdicated its responsibility.

XN: What qualities make you stand out from the other candidates running?
S: I have no money. I have no strings attached. I will work for public policy that serves the American people.

XN: What is your stance on life issues, specifically abortion and the death penalty?
S: Those issues are up to your religious conscience—not the law. If you did ban abortion it wouldn’t change the amount of abortions, that take place. It’s something that’s been with us for forever. When it comes to the death penalty—it has to be based on clear evidence. I am totally against the death penalty unless we change the [certainty of a person’s] guilt. In some cases it’s good for society to have the death penalty.

XN: How do you plan to help the poorer neighborhoods in Cincinnati?
S: I think we need to share the economic wealth with everyone in society. It needs to be more equitably shared. There are so many ways to fix the problem; I would restructure the system.

XN: Who do you support for President and why?
S: Ralph Nader because he’s an Independent, and he’s someone who would fight corruption.

XN: What is your favorite book?
S: Common Sense, by Thomas Payne.

XN: What is your favorite Cincinnati food?
S: Skyline, of course.

Go to http:www.geocities.com/dist1oh/rich for more information on this candidate.

Write-in candidate Eric Williams (D) was also contacted for an interview, but did not respond.

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College Democrats make the case for Obama

Sen. Barack Obama is the candidate who has the ability to bring a large demographic of diverse individuals as one. While it may seem that many politicians have had this same capability, it is our belief that none have connected to the American people as effectively as this unique individual. Barack Obama is the one politician who has successfully reached across party lines, racial divides and religious differences to bring together one America, one people and one nation. As our future President of the United States, he will not only make college education more affordable to students like us, but he will build a stronger foundation for children to attend and graduate from college as well. So many young people across the nation haven’t had the chance to even fathom the idea of getting access to any form of higher education. Barack Obama transforms that notion into reality by making college attendance no longer just for those from privileged families, but a fact of life, a requirement for all.

Barack Obama brings hope to many Americans who, for whatever reason, cannot afford health care. He will make sure employees under businesses that provide health insurance have access to more realistic insurance options and benefits that will efficiently cover themselves and their loved ones.
Mr. Obama’s foreign policy plan better supports our troops by pushing to safely exit Iraq and bring them home from an unjustified war. Barack Obama’s economic plan connects to the majority of Americans. Those individuals who have struggled for so long under our economic system, who feel that no matter how hard they push themselves, they are stuck and unable to break free of a system designed to keep them in the circle of failure. Those people will be relieved when he removes the Bush tax cuts on the wealthy and implement a new system of financial relief to 95 percent of American middle class families.

The eight long years that Bush has been in office has been an absolute failure; a destruction to our nation’s people, economy and international standing. It is clear that America is in dire of need of change. The American people need someone who knows how to be the mediator, the advocate and the commander-in-chief, but who also has enough compassion for his people to act within America’s best national interests. Barack Obama is that someone who brings the true sense of patriotism back to the hearts of all Americans.

That is why the Xavier College Democrats have worked arduously this semester to fight for the candidate who will bring the change and stability that Americans have so long been seeking. If Sen. McCain is elected as the next President of the United States, America will be in for a rude awakening; one that includes a suffering economy, corruption, public dishonesty and poor international reputation. So, I ask that you stand up for justice, for improvement, for change and most importantly, for the American people. Help us elect the best candidate for President of the United States, Sen. Barack Obama.

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College Republicans make the case for McCain

With the gradual increase in economic instability, social injustice and surmounting number of foreign relation challenges, there is only one candidate with the calm and steady judgment, knowledge and experience to inspire and lead our country to overcome these obstacles. That person is John McCain. John McCain’s stances on the American economy, American social policy and American safety are what make him the best choice for president.

John McCain believes in smaller government; because in his view, the American government should live responsibly within its means and budget itself, just as regular citizens have to. Likewise, McCain supports lower taxes because it directly puts more money in the hands of consumers, and also lowers the cost of the products and services we pay for everyday. Entrepreneurs and small business owners are most significant when it comes to the creation of jobs in the United States. With John McCain as president, the very firms and businesses that are responsible for almost all of the job growth in the United States will thrive. To stimulate growth in our economy, John McCain as president will work to ensure that the barriers to trade are reduced, which will allow for more free and open trade, resulting in the ultimate benefit to consumers. John McCain’s advocacy for diversified energy through an “all of the above” approach promotes innovation, ingenuity, the building of capital and of course, more job creation. In turn, this opens new energy markets, which provide more opportunities for businesses.

As president, you can rest assured that John McCain will fight for the liberty and rights of all Americans, including the unborn. He is a pro-life advocate which in my opinion, means that he deeply cares for the needs of everyone in this country. Also, in the name of liberty and human rights, John McCain has pledged to appoint Supreme Court justices that will interpret the constitution as it was written, not create new laws that support other agendas. John McCain along with Sarah Palin, are advocates of the disabled. John McCain, while in the U.S. senate, helped to construct the Americans with Disabilities Act, and if elected, will promote and protect their interests, making the country a better place for everyone.

Lastly, when it comes to the safety of the citizens of the United States, I can’t think of a person more qualified to lead or more experienced than John McCain. His 22 years of service to the country in the navy, and his five years of being tortured as a POW prove that he has undeniable strength and courage. Because of his long personal experience with war and foreign policy, he understands what it truly entails when we send our brave young men and women into battle. As president, John McCain will remove our dependence on foreign oil, which will take away any power that any foreign nation hoped to have with us. Finally, John McCain is the best candidate for president because he has a deep understanding of military strategy and an established record of toughness on military issues, tempered with a record of moderate stances on strong, logical diplomacy.

So, in these tough and challenging economic times, do not second guess the moral fiber of John McCain—the selfless American hero who has fought for our country once, and will continue to fight for the people of this nation if elected—the best candidate for the president of the United States IS John McCain.

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Blow up your TV

John LaFollette
Editor-in-Chief

Another presidential election has come and, almost, gone, and its time to think about what we, the American electorate, have learned.

First, that the old ways don’t seem to work anymore. For the first time in my (relatively short) memory, a candidate’s negative, demonstrably false accusations about his opponent have backfired. This is a refreshing indication that voters are taking this serious election seriously.

Voters also seem to be learning that the lies we’ve been fed by politicians and cable TV analysts about our spending habits have bled the country dry.
It’s turned out that the fundamentals of our economy were weak, not strong, and it’s been shown in recent weeks that the American people are readier for bad news than was previously thought.

That said, it’s worth noting secondly that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Barack Obama’s most serious ethical fault is that he reneged on his promise to accept public funding for the general election, which would have limited the amount of money he could raise and spend in the race.

While he did go back on his word, it is far more troubling that Obama felt (feels?) compelled to raise record amounts of money to conduct his campaign.

But such is the reality of modern politics. The American consumo-television culture has made air time an expensive commodity, and the supposed effectiveness of television advertising has made it indispensable.

To afford to buy TV ads, those who are charged with the governance of the land peddle their appearance value at fund-raising luncheons during what is supposed to be a work week.

Obama is guilty of the same essential election crime as the man he could potentially succeed: corporatization of the campaign. Out of this are born the sins of smear tactics and coddling, of reneging and cozying up.

If Obama is serious about purging Washington of lobbyism, he must eliminate the reason lobbyists are there in the first place–the need for deep campaign finance coffers.

By demanding a period of free air time from the major TV networks for the next election cycle, thus exposing his ideas to the scrutiny of even the most under-funded of opponents (let alone Republicans), Obama would force an election to be about the issues. In one fell swoop he could—really—change American politics.

The single best thing he could do, though, is sign an executive order mandating the compulsory destruction of every TV set in the country. .

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After November

Emily Hoferer
Managing Editor

A lot of people I know are excited about the election. They follow the campaigns closely, watch the debates, read as much as they can about anything and everything going on in Washington and around the country as the candidates visit swing states from coast to coast.

Election Day itself is also exciting. Unless you vote absentee or by mail-in ballot, you will get to physically go to a polling place and feel the rush of the vote. That night you can gather around your television set as the votes come in. The whole world will be paying attention to this election and its outcome, and that’s exciting by itself. There will be a sort of buzz in the air come November 4. I just hope it lingers until January 20 and beyond that for the next four years.

A lot of people are caught up in the excitement of the election. Clearly it’s quite a contest; its even entertaining to follow, but I hope Xavier students, and Americans realize that there is a world post-November 4. The election fever will break, and I’ll be interested to see what happens after that.
If Barack Obama is elected president, we will get to see if he delivers on the change that he has promised us. We will get to see if he takes his inspiring words and puts them into action. If John McCain is elected we will get to see if he really is a maverick, or is instead just a goose. We will get to see if he’s a repeat of the current republican in office.

Either way, each potential president has a lot to overcome if they are going to deliver on what they told us during the past year. Its challenging enough to maneuver through the bureaucracy of Washington as a senator, but now they will have to run an entire country that seems to have some growing pains and problems as of late.

I’m excited to see what happens next. The election is not a climax of a story that ends with a happy ending of inauguration on a cold January morning. Instead, the election is the decision of the American people about which direction the next four years are going. That’s the big story, the next four years. That’s what we should really be interested in and excited about because that’s when things will actually start to happen. That’s when change can occur. The next four years are going to (hopefully) give us what we need.

Questions about tax cuts, the environment, energy, foreign affairs and domestic policies will be answered in some way, shape or form. We will finally get to fix the stains on this country from the previous administration. The future is just bursting with exciting possibilities. Saturday Night Live could even continue to get better because more political fodder than they can handle could be coming their way.

Nov. 4 will be a great day, I’m sure. But I’m excited to see what comes after that too.

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Choose the important issues

Andrew Chestnut
Editorial Columnist

The most tragically destructive question of this decade is, “Who would you rather have a beer with?”

Eight years ago, right-wing pundits started proliferating this query through airwaves and print until it saturated the mainstream, suggesting that people wanted, for some asinine reason, a President they could sit with and drink a beer. Perhaps this was an indication that people wanted a leader who seemed trustworthy, or perhaps they were just insulting everyone’s intelligence.

But were they right? In retrospect, it is hard to tell. It is an obvious fact that people vote their identities. But no one specifically voted for a hypothetical drinking buddy until the media, in an act of infinite calamity, put the idea into their dangerously insipid brains.

But this is just one of the many, many egregiously bad reasons some Americans have for picking a candidate. A frighteningly large chunk of enfranchised imbeciles are “value voters,” people under the chimerical delusion that executives have any more to do with abortion and gay marriage than my goldfish.

To the tens of thousands of morons who voted for/supported George W. Bush because he was somehow pro-life: How did that work out? Did he outlaw abortion for you? Because the rest of us out here in the real world have had to deal with a five-plus-year disastrous War in Iraq, a worsened education system, an enormous setback in environmental progress, an unconstitutional law called the Patriot Act and a loss of international credibility, just to start.

But this is what happens when people don’t realize they aren’t just voting for a man or woman, but a whole executive branch. How about voting for one person’s judgment in appointing agency heads, judges and cabinet members that will help run the country, rather than an artificial persona?
Anyway, I should get on to suggesting good issues to vote for before I tear the Thesaurus’ page for “stupid.” May I present my “Three E’s”...
The first E is education. The United States is practically the only Western country where receiving a higher education is a drastic financial burden, which puts us at a tremendous global disadvantage.

Think for a second about how colossal the cost of college is, and see that potential students have a tremendous incentive not to educate themselves.

Fostering such a highly restrictive, sometimes prohibitive financial burden is not only unfair to citizens—to whom the ability to learn should be an inalienable right—but a long-term weakness for the country overall.

So why aren’t Americans demanding more out of education? Shouldn’t we be telling the government to stop screwing us for wanting to go to college?
The second E is energy. Our addiction to foreign oil is an extraordinary detriment with appalling implications. Not only do we send billions of dollars to other countries (many of whom, it can be argued, let it fall into the hands of enemies), but we emit 22 percent of the world’s carbon-dioxide into the atmosphere, compounding global warming and destroying the ozone.

Developing cheaper alternative wind or solar energy would be a boon to the economy, creating a whole new industry of green jobs and relieving individuals and corporations everywhere of the high costs of fossil-fuel energy, not to mention help to NOT MELT THE POLAR ICE CAPS!
So why don’t we demand better energy policies? Because some of us chose to believe the lies of various malefactors in Washington, that global warming may not exist, that it would be too economically costly to be carbon neutral, that green energy is too expensive.

These fools shouting “Drill, baby, drill!” at rallies might as well scream, “Let’s keep avoiding alternative energy and destroying the planet! I like voicing ignorance!”

The final E is the electoral college. Although it isn’t a partisan or even political issue, I don’t know how people aren’t talking about it. I don’t understand how everyone outside of a swing state is fine with the fact that their votes don’t matter, or that someone can win when more people wanted someone else to be president. People should be demonstrating and rioting and setting cars on fire over the fact that their votes do not count! I mean, their votes don’t count!

But for those of us lucky enough to vote in Ohio, our votes do count. A lot. And since everyone’s vote counts,we should think about what, not just who, we are voting for. There is a lot more at stake than abortion and gay marriage and character, so don’t let people convince you that’s what you care about.

Editor’s note: the Newswire does not advocate rioting or setting cars on fire.

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Life choices

Kelly Shaw
Managing Editor for Special Projects

Most of us are not purely Democrats or Republicans, yet elections force us to align ourselves with one of these two ideologies. Further, they oftentimes force us to support something we do not fully agree with, in the belief that our final choice is the better of two imperfect choices.

As cradle Catholic and a student of a Jesuit university, I have been faced with this dilemma of choosing for a long time—specifically in regards to political life issues. The only problem is this year, I actually get to vote.

I want to vote for someone who is “pro-life,” yet this terminology seems to be watered down, as now most politicians seem to claim they are indeed “pro-life.” Who wants the alternative—death?

Well, apparently some people do. Otherwise it wouldn’t be an issue.

What does “pro-life” mean, then? I like the phrase that Father Kenneth Overberg and Pope John Paul II have used in their writing on life issues; they call the truly “pro-life” mentality a “consistent ethic of life.” People with a consistent ethic of life understand that no matter what the situation, a human life must be most sacred, and always protected by the law.

This means that one does not support a life-defying policy based on emotional reasons such as fear, discomfort, or the want for revenge. If life is truly sacred, our laws about it must be objective enough to overcome the subjective passions we feel.

For example, if our mother were heinously murdered, the natural response might be to want the criminal to suffer the same punishment. Yet, we can objectively see that this response comes from the pain we would be feeling, not what our conscience tells us is morally correct.

I think we all want a country that is based on laws that cannot be influenced by “heat of the moment” emotion. If we truly are “pro-life” then we must consistently protect life even when we are personally affected.

So, why are we faced with a tough decision on Election Day if a certain party claims to be “pro-life”? Because they, in fact, are not. Neither party shows a consistent ethic of life. Voters are left to choose what they judge to be the better of two flawed ideologies. In a way we are all forced to be “pro-choice” because there is no way to be completely “pro-life.”

I have no answer for how someone with the same mindset as I should vote. While these are the issues that have most influenced my vote, there are still others to be considered.

My only piece of advice to young voters like myself is this: Though it may be difficult to make a decision that aligns with a consistent ethic of life, the idea shouldn’t be disregarded as you make your choice. We all can at least use our choices to the better the life of our country—and that means caring enough to go vote.

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Cookies Poll Cincinnati

Sarah Wieten
Editorial Columnist

By now, you are probably sick of hearing about them. “Obama up two points in the polls.” “Polls indicate that Senator John McCain has briefly edged Senator Barack Obama in Missouri.” “A new poll released reveals that women between 140 and 145 pounds with brunette hair and 3.1 children favor McCain.” I agree, political polls are starting to feel a bit overwhelming, not to mention irrelevant, since it all boils down to the fact that we don’t exactly know who is winning. However, the Busken local chain of bakeries has discovered a way to make even political polling sweet.

Starting in September, Busken has been conducting a not so scientific political poll: each store is baking and selling cookies with caricatures of presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain on a blue (for democrats) or red (for republicans) background. The idea is that patrons will purchase the cookie featuring the candidate or party they support, for a mere $1.85. Busken has been tallying these purchases and has concluded that Senator Obama’s cookie has been bought 6477 times and Senator McCain’s cookie has been bought only 3090 times, giving Senator Obama an apparent edge in the hearts, or perhaps stomachs, of Cincinnatians.

Just how worried should republicans be based on this poll? Zack, the Busken employee I spoke to at the store in Hyde Park, across from Rookwood Mall, said that the poll has been going on every election year in Cincinnati, “for a really long time, since like the seventies. And we almost always get [the Ohio preference] right.” As to the reaction of the patrons to the cookies he said, “[The customers] think they are really funny. That’s mostly the reaction we get.”

If you would like to participate in the Busken poll, you can head down to your local Busken (the Hyde Park/Rookwood one is open 24-7, perfect for a late night study break) or you can order cookies over the phone at 1-(888)-428-7536 or 1-(888)-4-BUSKEN. So do your part this election year: eat cookies!

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The McCain-Palin ticket in-depth

John McCain

John McCain was born in Aug. 29, 1936, at the Coco Solo Naval Air Station in the Panama Canal Zone where his father was stationed. In 1954, he graduated from Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Va. McCain took up his family’s naval tradition, and graduated from the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md. in 1958.

In 1965, McCain married Carol Shepp, a model from Philadelphia, and adopted Shepp’s two sons, Doug and Andy. Shepp then gave birth to McCain’s first daughter Sidney in 1966.

McCain volunteered for combat duty during the Vietnam War, and flew attack planes on bombing runs against North Vietnam. In October 1967, his plane was shot down over Hanoi, and he broke both arms and a leg. In 1969, McCain was taken to Hoa Loa prison. He was offered early release based on his father’s high-ranking status in the Navy, but refused.

He spent five years in prison camps, including three years in solitary confinement. McCain was tortured before his release in 1973. He was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross for his service.

He received rehabilitation treatment, but the injuries he suffered prevented him from further advancement in the navy. In 1976, McCain served as the navy’s liaison to the Senate.

McCain divorced his first wife, Carol Shepp, in April of 1980, and on May 17 of that year married his current wife, Cindy Hensley.

The couple has four children, Meghan, John IV, James and Bridget, who was adopted two years after her birth in Bangladesh in 1991.

McCain retired from the navy in 1981 to work in public relations for Cindy McCain’s father, a multimillionaire Anheuser-Busch beer distributor in Arizona.

McCain was elected to the House of Representatives in 1982, was reelected in 1984 and moved to the Senate in 1986.

In 1987, McCain was accused of wrongly speaking out on behalf of bank chairman Charles H. Keating Jr.’s bank, the Lincoln Savings & Loan Association, which failed in the late 1980s. Although McCain was cleared of the charges, investigators criticized his judgment in speaking out for Keating.

McCain ran for president in the 2000 election, but did not win the Republican nomination.

Later that year, McCain had several skin cancer lesions successfully removed from his face and arms. McCain also had surgery to correct an enlarged prostate in 2001.

Recently, McCain has supported the war in Iraq, and he also supported the 2007 troop surge.

McCain won the Republican presidential nomination in March of 2008, despite being woefully behind other Republican candidates the previous summer.

Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin, the Republican vice-presidential nominee is the only candidate with executive experience in the 2008 election.

Palin was born on Feb. 11, 1964, in Sandpoint, Idaho, but her family soon moved to Skagway, Alaska.

She graduated from Wasilla High School in 1982, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in communications from the University of Idaho in 1987. She then worked as a sports anchor at an Anchorage television station before entering politics.

She is married to her high school sweetheart Todd Palin, a four-time champion of the Iron Dog, the world’s longest snow machine race. He is a commercial fisherman, but currently is caretaker for their children: Bristol, Willow, Piper, Track and Trig.

Palin’s experience in government began in 1992, in Wasilla, Alaska, where she served two terms on the City Council and two terms as mayor. She has also served as Chair of the Alaska Conservation Commission, which regulates Alaska’s oil and gas.

On Dec. 4, 2006, Palin took office as governor of Alaska, becoming the first female governor in the state and youngest Alaskan governor ever.
As governor, Palin has conformed to conservative ideals, such as supporting offshore drilling and opposing abortion.

Her approval rating in Alaska stands at 80 percent.

Economics

McCain’s economic plan will cut spending in the government, namely “pork-barrel” projects and earmarks that may be suggested, to balance the budget by the end of his first term in office. He would also freeze all spending for a year on anything other than military and veteran discretionary spending, and put any savings made from the Iraq War and other military operations directly into driving down the deficit. In addition, McCain will aid small businesses through low individual tax rates, minimizing health insurance and union mandates and improving research incentives to keep America in the lead in global innovation.

Healthcare

McCain’s healthcare plan will expand the number of insurance options and give the uninsured opportunities for financial aid. McCain would increase healthcare competition by allowing healthcare to be bought across state lines as opposed to only in-state as it is currently, thus lowering costs and increasing customer service and benefits. McCain aims to reform the Medicare system by promoting payment reform to reward focused care. McCain will also give a tax credit to the healthcare provider when they make a purchase, helping to keep costs down.

Energy

McCain’s plan is known as the “Lexington Plan,” named to signify America asserting energy independence in the same way that the country asserted independence at the Battle of Lexington in the Revolutionary War. The plan will expand natural gas and oil exploration domestically, give a $5,000 tax credit to any consumer purchasing a zero emissions vehicle, and encourage the expansion of plug-in and fully electric vehicles with a $300 million prize to the company that develops a battery that delivers a power source at 30 percent of the current cost. He will also commit $2 billion annually to investing in clean coal technology, begin the construction of 45 new nuclear power plants to be completed by 2030 and give a 10 percent tax credit to oil companies for the purposes of research and development. McCain also proposes a cap-and-trade system that would set limits on greenhouse gas emissions, and allow companies the right to buy and sell the right to emit. Additionally, he will update the national energy grid.

Wars

McCain believes it is “strategically and morally essential” for the U.S. to support the Iraqi government and military until it is capable of taking care of itself. Al Qaeda in Iraq must be defeated in order to have complete Iraqi security. He advocates the “surge” strategy and believes that American troops can return home when the Iraqi government is capable of safeguarding its own people. It is also crucial that the Iraqi economy thrives in order to move young Iraqis away from extremist groups.

International Relations

McCain emphasizes a strong American military to achieve both protection and peace. The U.S. faces threats not only from terrorist groups, but also from “rogue states” such as Iran and North Korea, and from competitors such as China and Russia. Included in his plan for a stronger military are “effective missile defenses,” increasing the size of the military, and providing troops with the best and most modern weapons and safety equipment. McCain also addresses the immigration issue. The first priority in his plan would be to secure the borders. Next would be to deal with American employers and worker programs in such a way that “reflect(s) the labor needs of the U.S....while protecting the employment opportunities for U.S. workers.” Finally, the plan includes dealing with undocumented immigrants by prosecuting or deporting criminal aliens and helping others toward legal residence.

Life Issues

McCain believes that the Roe vs. Wade decision should be overturned, and he will nominate judges accordingly. The reversal would turn the question of abortion over to the states. The next step for ending abortion would be to help expectant mothers. McCain strongly promotes adoption and believes that family is the foundation to society, beginning with the marriage between one man and one woman. Finally, McCain opposes the “intentional creation of human embryos for research purposes,” as well as human cloning. As president, he will support funding for alternative research methods such as adult stem cell research. McCain supports the death penalty, and believes it should be broadened. He adamently disagreed with the recent Supreme Court ruling that banned the use of the death penalty in cases of child rape.

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The Obama-Biden ticket in-depth

Barack Obama

Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential candidate, is a first-term senator from Illinois and has also served in the Illinois State Senate.

His father, Barack Obama Sr., was born in Kenya and his mother, Ann Dunham, grew up in Kansas.

Obama said in his 2004 speech at the Democratic National Convention that his “parents shared an abiding faith in the possibilities of this nation. They would give me an African name, Barack, or ‘blessed,’ believing that in a tolerant America, your name is no barrier to success.”

His parents separated and divorced; his father died in a car accident in 1982.

Obama spent most of his early life in Hawaii with his mother and his maternal grandparents.

Obama attended Occidental College in Los Angeles for two years. He earned a political science degree in 1983 from Columbia University in New York City.

He went on to become a community organizer for a church-based group on Chicago’s South Side, working to improve living conditions for the poor.
Obama graduated from Harvard Law School in 1991, where he was the first black editor of the Harvard Law Review. He met his wife, Michelle, at a law firm in 1988. The two married in 1992.

After graduation, Obama joined the law firm of Miner, Barnhill & Galland, working as a civil rights lawyer. He later taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School.

He ran for state Senate in 1996 from Hyde Park, Ill. and won. He served three terms in the Illinois Senate between 1997 until 2004. (The second and third terms were interrupted by a failed bid for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000.)

During these years, Michelle and Obama had two daughters, Malia and Sasha.

In 2004, after winning the Democratic primary for a U.S. Senate seat from Illinois, Obama gave a keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. The speech, in many respects, launched his national political career.

Obama won the 2004 election to became only the third African American elected to the U.S. Senate since Reconstruction.

He announced his candidacy for president in Chicago in February 2007. After a brutal primary season, Obama clinched the nomination on June 3.
On Aug. 28, at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, he accepted the Democratic nomination, becoming the first black presidential nominee of a major political party.

In his acceptance speech, Obama said to some 75,000 in attendance, “Let us keep that promise - that American promise – and, in the words of Scripture, hold firmly, without wavering, to the hope that we confess.”

Joe Biden

Joe Biden, the Democratic vice-presidential candidate, is a six-term senator from Delaware.

Born in Scranton, Pa., Biden grew up with modest means.

A recovering stutterer, Biden graduated from the University of Delaware with a double major in history and political science, and then from Syracuse University College of Law with a law degree.

He married Neilia Hunter in 1966 and had three children, Beau, Hunter and Naomi.

Convinced to run against incumbent Senator Cale Boggs for his seat in 1972, Biden, a serious longshot, won the election by a mere 3,162 votes.

In December of 1972, weeks after the election, Biden’s wife and three young children were in a car accident, and his wife and daughter were killed.
Biden contemplated resigning his newly-won Senate seat, but decided to serve, taking the oath of office at his son’s hospital bedside.

Five years later he married Jill Jacobs. The couple have a daughter together, Ashley.

Biden is regarded as one of the Senate’s elder statesmen, having served on the Judiciary Committee for 27 years, including eight as its chairman, and on the Foreign Relations Committee which he has been on since the 1970s.

He is perhaps most famous for creating the Violence Against Women Act. Ironically, despite his stuttering, he is also known for his long-windedness.

Economics

Obama’s economic plan would immediately grant $1000 to each family through a Windfall Profits Tax and also immediately create a $50 billion fund to prevent cuts in education, health, housing, heating assistance and infastructure that are currently covered by the government. About 150 million people will receive a tax cut under Obama’s restructured tax plan, which includes a $500-$1,000 tax credit for working families. Obama would eliminate income tax for seniors making less than $50,000. He would also amend the NAFTA and CAFTA treaties to ensure free trade. Tax breaks would be repealed to companies exporting jobs, while companies keeping jobs in America would get relief. The plan would invest in manufacturing advances that would help create new jobs, as well as invest $150 billion into environmentally friendly areas, improving the areas and creating 5 million new jobs by 2018. In the long-term, the Obama plan will double the federal funding for basic research in an effort to revive the lagging American sciences, thus creating new jobs.

Healthcare

Obama’s plan would create the National Health Insurance Exchange that would allow consumers to choose between multiple providers, keeping prices down, and customer service and benefits. Every large company that did not offer health insurance under the Obama plan would be forced to contribute a percentage of payroll to the cost of healthcare. The plan would ensure that every person in America received a tax credit to aid in purchasing healthcare if needed, and would require insurance to cover pre-existing conditions, making comprehensive benefits available to those with disabilities. The plan would also allow importation of drugs from overseas, which would increase competition and decrease prices.

Energy

Obama plans to enact short term solutions, such as providing immediate energy rebates at the expense of the oil companies, reducing oil prices by closing loopholes in legislation and releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserves. He also supports mid-to-long term solutions like reducing greenhouse emissions through implementing a cap-and-trade program, investing $150 billion into areas that will create “green jobs,” putting 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2015 and giving $4 billion in tax credits to American auto manufacturers to promote the growth of the hybrid industry. His plan will also mandate that oil companies develop existing oil fields, explore further responsible drilling of oil and natural gas, and require 10 percent of America’s energy to come from renewable sources by 2012. Obama does not believe that any nuclear power expansion is necessary until the nuclear sector can be secured, but will give attention to advancing the national energy grid with advancement of the Smart Grid Investment Matching Grant Program to reimburse one-fourth of qualifying Smart Grid Investments.

Wars

Barack Obama is “fully committed to ending the war in Iraq.” His plan for doing this involves a phased removal of troops that is expected to take about 16 months. According to Obama, this will offer enough time for Iraqi officials to take control of the country’s military and government. As part of the plan, a force would remain in Iraq to counter terrorism, protect American personnel in the country and support Iraqi leaders as necessary. Obama’s plan would also include an expansion of services to Iraqi refugees.

International Relations

Obama supports tough diplomacy rather than a military presence, particularly when dealing with Iran. When diplomacy fails, economic and political action should be taken as opposed to a military strike. He emphasizes a willingness to meet with “foes and friends,” rather than Bush’s strategy of refusal to meet with rogue international leaders. Obama will make it a key priority to mediate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with a goal of developing two peaceful states. Obama’s plan includes expanding America’s diplomatic presence, fighting global poverty and strengthening NATO by contributing troops for stabilization and security purposes. He also emphasizes the need to secure nuclear weapons and materials with the goal of a nuclear-free world.

Life Issues

Obama supports stem cell research, and co-sponsored the 2007 Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act that would allow excess embryos from in vitro fertilization clinics to be used in stem cell research. He also believes in preserving the reproductive choice for women and opposes the overturn of the Roe vs. Wade decision. His agenda would include an expansion of services to reduce unwanted pregnancies, including contraceptives. It would also incorporate increased funding for family planning services and sex education that teaches both abstinence and safe sex methods. Obama supports the death penalty only in narrow circumstances for heinous crimes, and he has pushed for reforms in the system. However, he also disagreed with the recent Supreme Court ruling, stating it was too broad of a ban.

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SNL’s presidential impressions: a primer

The show’s recent rediscovery of the art of impersonation is steeped in history

Nora Heink
Editorial Columnist

The political comedy that appears on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” is perhaps the main source of the show’s longstanding appeal, and in an age where many Americans cite “The Daily Show” as a legitimate news source, watching “SNL’s” mixture of comedy and politics may be the most involved many people will get in the upcoming election.

This year, NBC launched three spin-off episodes entitled “Weekend Update: Thursday” in an attempt to capitalize on the dwindling weeks of the current presidential campaign season.

Since the show’s first season in 1975, audiences have especially favored “SNL’s” impersonations of political figures.

This season, Tina Fey’s recurring impression of vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin has drawn some of “SNL’s” best ratings in decades.

Whether or not presidential candidates actually enjoy watching their impersonators, all recognize the importance of appearing on the program—both in person and as a caricature. Obama, McCain and Palin have each made cameos on “SNL.”

In honor of the upcoming election, here’s a look at some of SNL’s past and present presidential impersonations.

Dan Aykroyd as Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter: In the early years of SNL, Aykroyd established himself as a prolific Nixon-impersonator and played the gruff president several times.

Aykroyd’s impression of soft-spoken peanut farmer Jimmy Carter demonstrated the performer’s versatility but was less successful than his Nixon.
Dana Carvey as George H. W. Bush: In his hyperactive impersonation of George Bush Sr., Carvey created some hilarious moments, donning Bush Sr.’s glasses and attempts at colloquialism with his memorable “nawt gonna do it, wouldn’ be prudent” shtick.

Phil Hartman and Darrell Hammond as Bill Clinton: The late Hartman drew laughs in his portrayal of Clinton during the early years: a Big Mac-loving jogger and darling of the media.

Hammond, boosted by the Lewinsky scandal, perfected Clinton, mastering some of the former president’s more nuanced mannerisms—the cracking voice and subtle smirk.

Will Ferrell as George W. Bush: As far as Dubya goes, Ferrell’s subdued take on President Bush wasn’t exceptional—ironic considering all of the wacky characters that Ferrell had already brought to life.

The well-known “strategery” sketch, featured during the 2000 presidential campaign, was Ferrell’s funniest, and poked fun at the “bushisms” that would become a staple for comedy writers in the years to follow.

Fred Armisen as Barack Obama: Armisen’s “Feauxbama” is the only disappointing impression of this year’s campaign season.

In an act consisting of little more than a meditative scowl, exaggerated hand motions and choppy speech patterns, Armisen hasn’t yet done comedic justice to the presidential hopeful.

Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton: Poehler bears little resemblance to Clinton, but thanks to solid writing and a wardrobe full of pant suits, she has been able to create a recognizable impersonation of the former Democratic hopeful. Poehler, along with her impression of Clinton, will be missed when she leaves “SNL”after the election in November.

Tina Fey as Sarah Palin: The Alaskan governor is a comedy-writer’s dream, and while her hockey mom persona, folksy speech, and trademark hairstyle aren’t difficult to caricature, Fey makes the most of the impersonation.

Whether she’s lampooning Palin the beauty queen or Palin the outdoorswoman, her podium stance and northern accent are spot-on, gosh darnit.
Maverick.

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Briefs

Meghan Berneking 
Campus News Editor

Financial wellness

The 12th annual Financial Wellness Workshop will be held from 10-11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27 in the Gallagher 330 meeting room. This program is designed to improve students’ ability to manage their finances, promote awareness to known pitfalls and develop strategies to avoid them. Topics will include overviews of the financial services resources available through the office of the Bursar, ALL Card, X-Cash program and Xavier Banking. For more information contact Auxiliary Services at auxiliaryservices@xavier.edu.

Student planner

Get organized for the new year. A Jesuit-themed day planner with weekly reflections is available from Xavier’s Mission & Identity Division. If you would like a book, stop by the Ledgewood Avenue house next to Residence Life. For more information contact Diana Rischman at rischman@xavier.edu.

Fight Night

The XU Boxing Club will be hosting “Fight Night” at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16 at the Armory. Members of the club will match up and contend with fighters from other schools such as Miami, UK, NKU and West Virginia. The event is open to all spectators. Tickets are $5 for general admission and $3 with any college ID. For more information contact Shannon Lloyd at 513-226-6463 or Lloyds@xavier.edu.

Hip-hop speaker

Michael Eric Dyson, professor and The New York Times bestselling author will be speaking about “If Not Us, Who? If Not Now, When?: The State of Our Generation” at 7 p.m. Nov. 14 at Cintas Center. Dyson is a professor at Georgetown University, has authored 14 books and was named one of the 100 most influential black Americans by Ebony magazine. For more information contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs at x3181.

Free Hugs Day

Random Acts of Kindness Club members or anyone in the Xavier Community can make “Free Hugs” shirts for Free Hug Day. At 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14 stop by the RAK Shak on 3717 Ledgewood Ave. to make a shirt, or make one on your own. The first Free Hug Day will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 20 and will take place every third Tuesday of the month for the rest of the year. Contact Beth Richer at richerea@xavier.edu for more information.